I agree the road is a mess and needs replaced. This is is who will pay for the repairs.
Oakland County or Malcomb County

When we move to Michigan in 1964 Dequindre was always the road to stay off of. it's last to be plowed, and will be last to be fixed. When I was there 3 years ago the same potholes cracks and "ruff" spots where still there. The only thing good about that road is to check your shocks to see if they are any good.
Just a person who knows the road from Alabama

The Road Commission is attempting to identify funding to fix this section of Dequindre. We are very aware of the problem, but cannot fix without money (please see previous post below).

Road Commission for Oakland County

If there is no funding to fix this part of Dequindre Rd then it should be closed off . It is horrible and I can't imagine what it is doing to the cars that drive over it all the time. Maybe if they just shut it down funding will be found quicker!

I agree! It's ironic that this is the road leading right to the Audi and BMW dealers which I visit often. Everytime I drive over it I feel like I am going to need to turn around to go to the car dealer to get new shocks!

Why wasn't it repaired during the economic boon? In good times or bad the Road Commission cry's broke and the roads continue to deteriorate. Why are our roads among the worst in the country?

Jon: Because of the road-funding structure in Michigan, there was no "boom time" for the state's road agencies. The boom occurred in the form of increased property values, increased retail sales and increased worker wages. None of those items provides revenue to road agencies (those provide revenues through property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes). Michigan's road agencies are funded primarily through the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

According to the US Census Bureau, Michigan has been among the bottom 7 or 8 states in the nation in terms of per capita state and local road funding since at least 1964 -- nearly 50 years. That means that residents in Michigan have been paying less to maintain their roads than residents in most other states for nearly 50 years. Ultimately, you get what you pay for. Roads have been Michigan's "forgotten priorty."

In part, our low ranking in terms of road funding is the result of having a gas tax that is below the national average and lower than most Great Lakes region states. Many states that have a gas tax rate higher than Michigan don't have to deal with six months of freezing rain and snow. We spend about $11 million per year just on plowing and salting in the winter (and that's just one road agency!) -- and there are no road improvements to show for that massive expenditure.

We did have more gas tax and vehicle registration fee revenues coming in when the economy was strong, and we resurfaced far more roads every year then, than we can do now. But even then, we could only address a small percentage of the resurfacing needs in the county. Today, with very little funding available for resurfacing, we're seeing rapid deterioration of the road system from one end of the county to the other (and in every county in the state, for that matter).

Road Commission for Oakland County

Why can't the cities of Sterling Heights, Troy, Rochester Hills, and Shelby Township all share in the cost? Or Oakland and Macomb counties split the cost? This is the main access road to a major hospital - disgraceful!!!

All: Good news. The Road Commission was able to pull funding forward from a future year, and will be resurfacing Dequindre from Auburn to South Boulevard beginning approximately Sept. 6. The project is expected to be completed by approximately Nov. 15.

Road Commission for Oakland County

Good to hear this is going to be fixed soon! :)

Road Comissioner - Is this resurfacing going to actually be done September 6? There are no signs posted - are you actually a road commisioner?

Beaumont Employee:

The Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) slightly delayed the awarding of the contract for this job (because federal funds are involved, MDOT must award the contract, though the contract is between the Road Commission and our contractor). As a result, we expect the job to start late this week week.

Road Commission for Oakland County

We appreciate the update and will really appreciate once complete!

Road has been repaved! Let's hope the quick layers of ashphalt last....